In 2013, the Ysleta Indians saw a lot of improvement in its football program.

And with that, the Indians are looking to take the next step in 2014 with goals that include making the playoffs for the first time since 2002, while competing for a District 2-5A championship and a Class 5A bi-district title.

Ysleta is coming off a 4-6 campaign, 3-5 in district, after a 1-9 season in 2012.

"We're just getting better this year," Ysleta quarterback Justin Maese said. "We've been working hard in the weight room. Everybody's into it. We just want to spread it out this year, throw the ball a lot. This year, the receivers have improved a lot. It's crazy how much they've improved. It should be a good year for us."

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Maese will be a big key for the Indians in 2014. The 6-foot-2, 197 pound senior threw for 1,260 yards last season, was a first team All-District 2-4A pick last year and will be a three-year starter this fall.

Wide receivers Jasper Escobedo and Michael Cruz will be key in the Indians' offense as well.

"We have enough pieces in place to legitimately compete and take that next step in the program in the direction everybody wants to see us going in," said Indians head coach Ruben Torres, who's entering his third season. "I think we do want to be more aggressive offensively. With Justin and the receiving core that we have coming back, we do have the ability to stretch the field and make more plays down field in our passing game."

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Defensively, Torres feels the strength of the defense is in their defensive line. Ysleta returns seniors Ricardo Davilla (4.5 sacks in 2013) and Carlos Bernal, who were both big for the Indians last season, as well junior Alan Santillan and sophomore Bryan Martinez, who started a few games as a freshman.

Junior linebacker Benjamin Cardenas (75 total tackles in 2013) is a key returner as well.

"Defensively, I feel we're stronger at than last year," Davilla said. "Our D-line, is the same as last year and I feel that's our strongest point."